Amanda PhillipsJust before the turn of the year we encouraged you to consider making some travel resolutions to explore the world from a different angle. Maybe you’ve already done that, and are heading off somewhere that stands out from your previous holidays. If you’re still hovering your eyes over the resolutions but are leaning towards booking your first cruise, our blog post today should help as it is on the 2016 offers from one of the fabulous cruise companies Barrhead Travel organise holidays with: Royal Caribbean.
Royal Caribbean have two new cruise ships making their debut this year. On top of these exciting launches, the cruise line has also finished the refurbishment of a classic ship and will see in the return of an old favourite after an eight year absence Additionally they’re starting 2016 with an all-inclusive offer to help you dip your toes into cruising. There’s definitely not a better time to be thinking about your first cruise or, if you’re a seasoned cruiser, mixing it up with something a bit different.
Be the first to cruise on one of their new liners
In 2016, Harmony of the Seas and Ovation of the Seas, will take their first voyages into the world oceans. Harmony of the Seas will be leaving port in May from Southampton and will be offering cruises across Europe. Set to become the biggest cruise ship in the world, it will feature a rock climbing wall, a 10-storey water slide and the Bionic bar – a bar where you get served by robots.
The other addition to the Royal Caribbean fleet, Ovation of the Seas, will be launching in April from Southampton. From here, the new ship will initially embark on a 52-night cruise to China and, from there, will move onto Australia where the ship will call home from the 15th of November. On board guests will find an outdoor movie screen, running track and basketball court.
Refurbishments and the return of a favourite
Liberty of the Seas, Majesty of the Seas and Jewel of the Seas are all due upgrades in 2016, which will mean new activities, larger features and an increase in comfort for guests.
Liberty of the Seas is currently in drydock, and will return to the warm seas of the Caribbean with new restaurants, staterooms, water slides and an aqua park. The new aqua park will include TidalWave, the first Boomerang style water slide at sea.
In April, the Jewel of the Seas will receive a $30 million refurbishment which will include an additional 42 staterooms, the introduction of high-speed internet, three new restaurants and a poolside movie screen. Upon her return in May, she will be on offer for European cruise itineraries until October, when she will return to her base in the Puerto Rico and be found sailing the Southern Caribbean.
In April, the Majesty of the Sea will be going into drydock in the Bahamas to receive some exciting upgrades. These will include new waterslides, family-friendly jacuzzis, a poolside movie screen and the addition of three new restaurants. Following this upgrade, she will be return to her permanent home in Port Canaveral and will be available for cruises to the Bahamas with a visit to Royal Caribbean’s private island destination, CocoCay.
Veterans of Royal Caribbean cruises will also recall Empress of the Sea, a ship that was transferred to a sister cruise line in 2008. In spring of this year she will receive a make-over before making her way back home to Royal Caribbean, giving customers the chance to cruise on this classic ship.
Convinced yet? How about an early-bird deal?
If you’re now picturing yourself cruising the Bahamas and having a robot fetch your drink, right now is the best time to get your laptop open. Until the 29th of February, Royal Caribbean are offering a complimentary drinks package, 50% off for your second guest, 25% off for your third and fourth guests – and deposits of just £50. If that’s not encouragement to sail to the seas, we’re not sure what is.
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”